Newport gym-goer hails staff who saved his life

So it was a far happier visit for the 46-year-old as he returned to thank staff who saved his life.

Mr Price was working out at the leisure centre when he fell ill. He fell to the floor with a cardiac arrest, but thanks to quick-thinking staff members, as well as other gym-goers, his life was saved.

Harriet Harvey-Bebbington, of Ketley, and John Young, of Shrewsbury, were both on duty at the gym on October 20 when it happened.

Miss Harvey-Bebbington said one of the customers came running out to her to say someone had collapsed. She quickly alerted Mr Young, who was on lifeguard duty at the time, who came running in with the defibrillator.

They then carried out CPR, before using the defibrillator to shock him when the device found no pulse.

An ambulance soon arrived, where crews have praised the quick thinking of everyone in the gym for saving Mr Price's life. Once the ambulance crews were on scene, they then took over before taking Mr Price to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

"I just cannot thank everyone enough," Mr Price said. "If it wasn't for the training and quick thinking of the staff at the gym, I wouldn't have made it.

"I can't remember anything from the day, I came to the gym in the morning and the next thing I knew I was on the floor.

"I was on the treadmill when it happened. Next thing I know I am in hospital after recovering.

"I have since had a triple heart bypass, but I am now on the road to recovery, and hope to be back in the gym by March. If it wasn't for John and Harriet I wouldn't be here, I really am lucky to be alive."

Mr Price is well known around the town as he works in the town centre shop, Card and Play, and he says everyone has been supportive.

He added: "My13-year-old son Charlie and wife Karen have been great, they have really looked after me.

"And as I have lived in the town my whole life, everyone has wished me well and wanted to make sure I am well. Even people I haven't heard from in ages have been stopping by to see me."

Mr Young, 34, said on the day adrenaline kicked in, which kept him calm and able to save Mr Price's life.

"We are given training every month and I am very thankful for that, as it has allowed us save this man's life. I would also like to thank the customers who alerted us as well."

Miss Harvey-Bebbington, 25, added: "When we came into the gym one of our customers had put Steve in the recovery position, and then we did what we had been trained to do.

"We carried out CPR, then we put the defib on him. It told us he wasn't breathing and we needed to shock him, which we did.

"Then we had people on the phone to the ambulance, which arrived quickly afterwards. I am just so grateful for the training that has been provided, because we knew exactly what to do."

Following the news of the Mr Price's heart attack, one Newport resident decided to take matters into his own hands and raised enough money in 72 hours to buy three defibrillators.

Carl Dixon, 50, a local undertaker, said he felt the need to raise as much money as he could for the life-saving machines. Now three defibrillators will be installed at various places around the town, and he hopes to raise more money so the surrounding villages can also benefit.

One of the machines has already been installed at The Barley pub in the High Street, and the other two are due to be installed before Christmas.

This is not the first time a defibrillator has saved someone's life at a Telford & Wrekin Council-run gym.

Back in July two members of staff at Oakengates Leisure Centre saved a man in his 60s after he collapsed playing badminton. They used a defibrillator to restart the man's heart.

Dave Tatton and Robin Cornes praised the training they had received, saying if was not for that the outcome may have been different.

And that was not the first time staff at Oakengates had been instrumental in saving a life.

In October 2014 staff members resuscitated a 24-year-old woman who collapsed after a spin session.